High water shuts hand-operated Texas, Mexico ferry

The only hand-pulled vehicle ferry on the U.S. border with Mexico has suspended crossings due to high water in the Rio Grande meant to help farmers.

Customs officials say the Los Ebanos Ferry in South Texas, which operates as a border crossing site, will be shut down until further notice.

Customs and Border Protection spokesman Phillip Barrera says operators of Falcon Dam are releasing more water than usual because farmers need irrigation supplies. Parts of Texas are still recovering from the devastating 2011 drought.

Barrera said Tuesday that the ferry will reopen once water levels go down.

The ferry, which can haul three cars and about a dozen pedestrians, was recognized in 1975 with a state historical marker.